Florida Roofing Scams: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Apr 14, 2025

Your neighbor just got a new roof for “free.” Your insurance agent says your 12-year-old roof is “too old.” A stranger knocks offering a “storm inspection.” Is any of it legit, or are you being set up?

I’ve seen firsthand how fast things can go sideways when storms pass through, and when the wrong people knock on your door afterward. We’ve watched communities watching bounce back from hurricanes. But there’s one storm we haven’t fully addressed yet.

The flood of roofing scams threatening Florida homeowners every year.

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering what’s real and what’s not. You’re not alone. From policy non-renewals to aggressive roofers making too-good-to-be-true offers, Florida’s roofing world has gotten messy. And it’s costing homeowners more than just money, it’s eroding trust.

Let’s walk through what’s really happening in this state, what’s fueling the scams, and most importantly, how to protect your home and your peace of mind.

What Makes Florida the Epicenter of Roofing Scams?

Photo Source -> Fox13

Florida isn’t just known for sunshine and palm trees, we’re also ground zero for one of the most chaotic roofing markets in the country.

1. Florida’s Vulnerability After Storms

Every major storm leaves thousands of homes with roof damage, or at least the appearance of it. That’s when scam artists roll in like clockwork, offering free inspections and quick fixes that often turn into insurance fraud. They know we’re vulnerable. They know you’re worried. And they count on you not asking too many questions.

2. Misuse of AoBs (Assignment of Benefits)

One of the worst loopholes we’ve seen exploited is the Assignment of Benefits. On the surface, it seems convenient, you let a contractor deal with the insurance company for you. But when you sign that AoB form, you’re handing over your rights.

I’ve seen homeowners get sued in their own names by contractors they barely knew.

Here’s my take.

If a contractor pressures you to sign anything on day one, walk away. A legit pro will educate you first, not fast-talk you into legal quicksand.

3. The “Perfect Storm” of Aging Roofs and Insurance Tactics

Here’s the part nobody tells you.

Many of the homes getting “free roofs” don’t have storm damage at all. They’re just old. And in Florida, many insurers are refusing to renew policies if your roof is over 10 or 15 years old, even if it’s in decent shape. So homeowners panic, scammy contractors swoop in, and suddenly, everyone in the neighborhood is getting a new roof whether they need one or not.

“My neighbors are all getting new roofs. Am I missing something?”

No, you’re not crazy. It’s happening everywhere. The mix of unclear policy rules, post-storm anxiety, and predatory pitches has created a recipe for confusion, and scammers love confusion.

4. Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out

As if that’s not enough, major insurers are leaving Florida altogether. Why? Because of skyrocketing losses. Between January and September 2021, property insurers in Florida lost $1.22 billion, and that’s before claim payouts. A big chunk of that came from roofing fraud and the legal battles that followed.

When the system breaks down like this, everyone pays. You, your neighbor, and even the honest contractors trying to do good work.

12 Roofing Scams Every Florida Homeowner Should Watch For

Let’s get into the stuff that really matters, the scams you need to know about before anyone sets foot on your roof. These aren’t just “bad service” stories. These are tactics that have cost Floridians millions, triggered lawsuits, and even gotten some homeowners tangled up in fraud without realizing it.

1. The Storm Chaser Scam

You’ve seen them. Right after the hurricane clears, a branded truck rolls through your neighborhood. A smiling stranger knocks and says, “We’re doing roofs in the area. Yours looks damaged, we’ll check it out for free!”

Now look, I’m not saying every door-to-door roofer is a scammer. But here’s the problem: this is the #1 tactic scammers use in Florida. They follow storms, pitch “free inspections,” and tell you your roof has damage, whether it does or not.

Then they offer to file an insurance claim for you. You hand over a deposit or sign a contract (sometimes even an Assignment of Benefits), and next thing you know:

The crew never shows up again.
The “inspection” leads to a full claim that your insurance questions, or denies.
Or worse, they slap on low-quality materials and disappear before the next rain even hits.

If someone knocks on your door right after a storm offering a free inspection, your guard should go up, not down.

A real roofing contractor doesn’t pressure you. They don’t chase disasters. They educate. They inspect. And they provide real, written estimates that make sense, not ones designed to manipulate your insurance company.

2. Fake Insurance Claims

This one’s dangerous, for your bank account and your legal standing.

Here’s how it works:

A shady roofer offers you a “no cost” or “low out-of-pocket” roof. They say they’ll bill your insurance company directly. Sounds great, right?

Then they submit two different invoices:

One to you, showing a small or zero-dollar bill.
A second, inflated invoice to your insurance company for thousands more.

This is called “double invoicing,” and it’s not just unethical, it’s insurance fraud. And if your name is on the contract, guess who can get pulled into the investigation?

You.

We’ve had homeowners come to us in tears after unknowingly signing contracts like this. One minute they think they’re getting a deal, and the next they’re fighting off a lien, or worse, a lawsuit.

Another version of this scam? Overstated or completely fabricated damage. A contractor claims your shingles were lifted by wind, even when they weren’t. Or they show close-up photos of “hail hits” that came from a hammer.

These bad actors know insurance adjusters are overloaded after storms. They’re banking on the adjuster not catching the lie. But if they do, it’s your policy that gets flagged.

3. Assignment of Benefits Abuse (AoB Fraud)

If there’s one piece of paperwork I’d warn every Florida homeowner to read very carefully, it’s this one: the Assignment of Benefits, or AoB.

On the surface, it sounds convenient. A contractor says, “Don’t worry, we’ll deal with your insurance company for you. All you have to do is sign here.” What you’re actually doing? Handing over your rights to the insurance claim.

With an AoB, the contractor becomes the legal authority on your claim. That means:

You can’t negotiate with your insurance company.
You might not even see the full scope of work or final bill.
They can sue your insurer, and name you in the lawsuit, without your knowledge.

Let that sink in.

We’ve seen cases where homeowners were dragged into six-figure legal battles because a contractor filed a lawsuit under their name. All because of a document they didn’t fully understand.

You don’t need to give up control to get help.

A trustworthy contractor will assist you with the insurance process without hijacking it. They’ll communicate clearly, provide estimates, explain policy implications, and never pressure you into signing a legal document on the first visit.

If anyone says, “We just need you to sign this so we can get started”, that’s your cue to slow down.

AoBs aren’t always bad, but in the wrong hands, they’re the perfect scam tool.

4. The “Free Roof” Pitch

Let’s talk about one of the most common bait lines in Florida:

“We can get your whole roof covered. You won’t have to pay a thing!”

This is the “free roof” pitch, and it’s exploded in popularity over the last few years. But here’s the problem: There’s no such thing as a truly free roof, and this promise often leads to real financial consequences.

You might think you’re getting a deal, but here’s what can happen:

Your deductible gets “absorbed” into the claim through shady invoicing.
The contractor inflates the scope of work to get a bigger payout.
Your insurer spots the inconsistencies, or just decides the area is too risky, and drops your policy.

Don’t believe me? One of our customers shared this story (name changed for privacy):

“A contractor came door-to-door after a hailstorm. Said we could get a free roof through insurance. It all sounded great… until our premiums jumped the next year. Then, our insurer didn’t renew us at all.”

This is becoming more common across Florida. Homeowners get roped into aggressive claims, get their roofs replaced, and then face higher premiums, policy non-renewals, or even coverage denial down the line.

5. Bait-and-Switch Damage Reports

Here’s a subtle scam that’s becoming far too common.

A contractor offers you a “free roof inspection,” climbs up, snaps a few dramatic photos, and tells you, “You’ve got significant storm damage. We can get this covered by insurance.”

Now here’s the twist: that damage? It might be old wear and tear. Or worse, completely fabricated.

What these scammy operators are doing is finding just enough questionable wear, a cracked shingle here, a nail pop there, to justify opening a claim. Once they have your signature, they’ll escalate the job into a full roof replacement, even if your insurance only approves minor repairs.

At that point, you’re stuck. They either pressure you to pay the difference, file inflated invoices to your insurer (which could be fraud), or walk off the job entirely when they don’t get the payout they hoped for.

Always get a second opinion.

6. The Vanishing Contractor Scam

You trust a roofer with your deposit, and then they disappear. Phone off. Website gone. No crew ever shows up.

I wish I could say this was rare, but in Florida, vanishing contractor scams are an epidemic. These scammers prey on urgency and fear. They often surface right after storms or during insurance confusion. And they usually follow the same formula:

Ask for a large deposit upfront, sometimes 50% or more.
Promise a quick start date.
Then… nothing.

And because they’re often unlicensed, uninsured, and operating under a fake or generic business name, you have no real recourse. Your money’s gone, and your roof is still leaking.

Here’s what to look for:

No verifiable license or business address
No insurance documents
No legitimate website or reviews
Or worse: everything looks too perfect, but the business just launched last month

I always tell homeowners:

Never hand over more than 20% upfront, and only after a detailed contract is signed.

Always, always verify credentials. You can look up roofing licenses in Florida through My Florida License. If their name isn’t there, they don’t belong on your roof.

7. The License Swap or Faked Certs

Some of the worst scammers are smart. They’ll slap a license number on their contract that looks legit, but it actually belongs to another company. Or they’ll flash a “GAF-certified” or “BBB-accredited” badge… with no real credentials behind it.

We’ve seen roofers do this just to close deals fast, hoping you won’t take the extra 60 seconds to check.

But here’s the good news: you can catch them.

How to verify:

Visit https://www.myfloridalicense.com
Enter the contractor’s name or license number
Check:
- Status: It should be “Active”
- License type: It should say “Certified Roofing Contractor”
- Company name: It must match exactly

If anything looks off, different business name, expired status, missing insurance, that’s your red flag.

8. The High-Pressure Deal Close

Any roofer who tells you “you have to sign today” is not someone you want touching your home.

This tactic plays on urgency. They’ll say things like:

“We’ve only got one spot left this week.”
“Prices are going up tomorrow.”
“You’ll miss the insurance deadline.”

They’re trying to lock you into a contract before you can ask questions, get other quotes, or read the fine print. And once you sign? Good luck backing out.

Roofing isn’t buying a used car. It’s one of the most critical investments you’ll make in your home. You deserve the space and time to review every detail.

9. Shoddy Work Hidden Under New Shingles

This one makes my blood boil, because it looks like the job is done… until the next storm hits.

Here’s how it happens:

A contractor agrees to do your roof. They slap on new shingles in a couple of days. It looks great. But underneath? They didn’t:

Replace the damaged decking
Fix water intrusion points
Correct any flashing or ventilation issues

All they did was cover the problem, not fix it.

This scam is especially dangerous because you often won’t realize what happened until six months or a year later. The next heavy rain exposes leaks. Mold starts forming in your attic. And when you call them back?

They’re gone.

We’ve seen dozens of these botched jobs, and our crews have had to tear off entire “new” roofs just to fix what should’ve been done right the first time.

10. No Insurance, No Warranty, No Accountability

If you hire a contractor who doesn’t carry insurance, here’s what you’re risking:

If a worker gets injured on your property, you could be liable.
If they damage your home, you might not be able to recover costs.
If something goes wrong later, you’re left holding the bag.

Too many fly-by-night roofers skip insurance to cut costs and underbid competitors. They’re also the ones who skip warranty documentation, either because they don’t qualify for manufacturer programs or they don’t plan to be around long enough to honor it.

Here’s my advice:

Ask to see their Certificate of Insurance. Ask to see their workmanship and product warranties. If they hesitate or get defensive, walk away.

11. Roofing with No Permit

When a roofer tells you they’ll “save you time” by skipping the permit process, what they really mean is:

“We’re cutting corners, and you’ll be the one who pays for it later.”

Permits are often what protects you from financial ruin. They ensure that:

The work meets local building codes
A certified inspector verifies everything was done safely
Your roof stays compliant with state insurance regulations

Here’s what happens when shady roofers skip this step:

You could face fines or failed inspections during resale
Your homeowner’s insurance can be voided if a claim is tied to unpermitted work
You have zero official record that the roof was replaced, hurting both coverage and property value

I’ve seen it too many times: homeowners think they’re getting a fast-track deal, only to find out later they have no documentation to back it up.

We pull permits on every single job. No shortcuts, no surprises. It’s about doing things the right way, even when no one’s watching.

12. Misleading You About Florida Insurance Rules

This one hits close to home for a lot of Floridians: being dropped by your insurance company simply because your roof is “too old.”

And guess what? Most homeowners don’t see it coming.

A contractor may tell you your roof is “fine.” It’s not leaking, it’s not damaged, but it’s 12 years old. So you let it ride.

Then you get a non-renewal letter in the mail from your insurer, stating your roof is “no longer eligible for coverage” because it exceeds their age limits, sometimes 10 or 15 years, depending on the company.

It’s blindsiding. And scammy contractors take advantage of that fear by swooping in with lines like:

“Your policy won’t get renewed unless you act now.”
“We’ll help you rush a claim to get it covered.”

In some cases, they even fabricate storm damage to justify a full replacement, knowing full well the issue was really age-related, not event-driven.

Here’s the truth.

Florida’s insurance market is in flux. Some insurers are tightening requirements, and others are pulling out entirely. That’s why you need a roofing partner who understands the rules, not one who manipulates them to close a sale.

Key Roofing Insurance Statistics from Florida

Florida’s insurance market is being pushed to the edge, and roofing scams are a big part of the problem.

1. Rate Increases Over Time

Take Elizabeth Roach from Hudson, Florida. In 2019, her annual homeowner’s insurance premium was $769. By 2022? It had climbed to over $1,900, an increase of nearly 3x in just two years.

And she’s not the exception.

Today, the average Florida homeowner pays $3,600/year to insure a $300,000 home. That’s $1,300 more than the national average.

What’s behind the spike?

Storm frequency is part of it.
But the bigger driver is fraud, litigation, and insurer losses tied to roofing scams.

Many homeowners are paying higher rates not because of what they did, but because of what the system allowed.

2. Industry-Wide Financial Impact

Between January and September 2021, Florida insurers lost $1.22 billion, and that’s before paying out claims.

Think about that.

By March 2022, seven Florida insurance companies had entered liquidation. Others, like Lighthouse Property and Florida Farm Bureau, had their financial ratings downgraded, making it harder for them to operate and increasing pressure on the rest of the market.

And who absorbs that cost? We do.

Homeowners, like you and me, end up footing the bill through premium hikes, policy non-renewals, or outright denial of coverage.

3. Litigation & Fraud Impact

Here’s the most shocking stat of all:

Florida accounts for just 10% of all insurance claims nationwide…
But we account for 76% of insurance-related lawsuits.

And the majority of those lawsuits?

They’re tied to roofing claims involving questionable storm damage.

How to Report a Roofing Scam in Florida

If you think you’ve been targeted, or worse, taken advantage of, don’t stay silent. Reporting roofing scams doesn’t just protect you. It helps protect your neighbors, your community, and the integrity of Florida’s housing market.

Here are the best places to report a suspicious or dishonest roofing contractor:

🛑 Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)

This is where you verify licenses, and report those operating without one.

🔗 myfloridalicense.com

🛑 Florida Attorney General’s Office – Consumer Protection Division

Use this to file official complaints regarding fraud, false advertising, or contract abuse.

🔗 myfloridalegal.com

🛑 Your County Permitting Office

If your roofer skipped permits or botched an inspection, the local building department can take action, and possibly stop them from scamming others.

🛑 Better Business Bureau & Google Reviews

Your reviews make a difference. Call out bad actors, but also lift up the good ones. Honest reviews help other homeowners make better decisions.

You Don’t Need to Fear Roofing, Just Be Informed

Look, I get it. Roofing in Florida can feel like a minefield. But it doesn’t have to be.

With the right contractor by your side, your roof isn’t just a structure. It’s peace of mind. It’s protection during storm season. It’s the difference between another insurance nightmare and a job done right, from the first nail to the final inspection.

And that’s what we’re here to deliver.

At Florida Roofing and Gutters, our job isn’t just to replace shingles, it’s to restore trust. We lead with honesty. We do the work the right way. And we walk you through every step so you’re never in the dark.

So if you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or just need a second opinion?

“Do the right thing. Be tenacious. Ask questions. A great roof starts with trust.” – Florida Roofing and Gutters

🔗 Need A Storm Damage Inspection Or A Second Opinion?

Schedule your free consultation with Florida Roofing and Gutters today.

Let’s protect your home, and your future, together.